People Living Along Riverbanks in Ishwardi Fear Rising Water

Ishwardi (Pabna) Upazila Correspondent

People living along the Padma River in Ishwardi, Pabna, are in fear as the river’s water level continues to rise rapidly. At the Hardinge Bridge point, the river is flowing just 75 metres below the danger level. Meanwhile, water has already entered crop fields in several low-lying areas of the upazila.

In some areas, river water has overflowed embankments and entered localities, leaving residents along the Padma spending sleepless nights fearing floods and river erosion.

According to the upazila agriculture office, around five hectares of radish and carrot fields in each of Pakshi and Lakshmikunda unions are at risk of being submerged. Water has also started entering around 75 hectares of cropland, including papaya and banana orchards, in the Awatpara area. Farmers fear damage to winter vegetables and various early varieties of crops as the water level continues to rise.

Yusuf Ali, a resident of Arambaria in Sara Union of Ishwardi Upazila, said people in Arambaria, Komarpur, Majdia and Islampur are living in fear as the Padma’s water level rises. Many are staying awake at night along the riverbank, fearing that their homes could disappear into the river at any time. He said the water level in the Padma has been rising for the past 10 days and the rise is continuing.

Amirul Sardar, a farmer from Sahapur village, said fear among farmers and local residents has increased as river water has entered some localities. Farmers in the area are worried about their crops.

Ishwardi Upazila Agriculture Officer Krishibid Abdul Momin said farmers in Sahapur, Pakshi, Sara and Lakshmikunda unions are concerned that floodwater may enter various croplands as the water level continues to rise.